Author: Easy DIY Sweet Potato Dog Chews are here! After so many dogs (and people apparently) loved my Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Dog Treats, I thought it would be fun to make another one for the pooches. My pet store sells these sweet potato chews which Chickpea dog loves, but they are like $8 for a package!! Which, I swear, is barely 1 potato worth of slices. Seems a bit silly to me when there is only one ingredient.
FEATURED COMMENT:
I made them a couple of weeks ago. I'm about to make them again. So easy and the dogs love them. - jennifer
So after doing a bit of ye ol' internet research, I found out it was super-duper easy to make your own. All I have to do is dry out some sweet potato slices in the oven at very low for a couple of hours. Boom. Done. The result was that some pieces were a bit dry and crunchy, but most pieces had a chewy jerky-like texture. And did Chickpea dog like them? Watch as she discovers the treats. ↓
Yeah, she liked them all right. Really, really went nuts for them and couldn't understand why I was teasing her with it. For photography Chickpea! You're an internet-famous dog, don't you know?
Of course, you could feed these treats to the humans of the household as well. I taste-tested them, and dried out sweet potatoes don't do much for me... But to each their own!
To make Easy DIY Sweet Potato Dog Chews:
Take 2 sweet potatoes. Or you could do just 1, or 7, or however many you like! I found that 1 sweet potato took up about 1 baking sheet, so I did two baking sheets worth.
Slice them up. I sliced mine into coins because Chickpea is only a medium-little dog, but if you have a bigger dog you could slice them lengthwise for larger chews. You don't want the pieces to be too thin or they will just get crispy and not chewy. So make sure they are no thinner than ¼ inch (see above photo for reference).
I use the mandoline attachment on my food processor so it took about 7 seconds to slice the potatoes.
Lay them all out on parchment paper-lined baking sheets in a single layer.
Then just pop the little dudes in the oven for 2 ½ to 3 hours flipping once half way through until they are shrunken, dried out, and some pieces are a bit crispy, while others are a bit chewy. Let cool, then store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
(click stars to vote)
Easy DIY Sweet Potato Dog Chews
Servings: chews
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Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250F (130C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a knife or mandoline to cut the sweet potato into slices. I sliced mine into coins because my dog is small, but if you have a bigger dog you could slice them lengthwise for larger chews. You don't want the pieces to be too thin, or they will just get crispy and not chewy, so make sure they are no thinner than ¼ inch.
- Arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheets and bake for 2 ½ to 3 hours flipping once halfway through until they are shrunken, dried out, and some pieces are a bit crispy, while others are a bit chewy.
- Let cool, then store in an air-tight container in the fridge for about 3 weeks.
Blaire says
I was considering buying a food dehydrator for the sole purpose of making these treats for my dog. I was buying some on Amazon and the price was crazy and I just realized they are made in China.
These are so easy to make and my dog loves them. For a couple of dollars, I can make a whole lot of these treats. He has cushings disease so we have to watch his protein intake. Last time I made them, I threw them in a ziplock bag and stored them in the freezer. He actually seems to prefer them frozen and I don’t have to worry about them going bad.
Thanks for this recipe!
Rose says
Can’t Thank you enough for this simple alternative for my Pixie, 6.5 lbs havanese, w b 11 y old in November. She’s such a picky eater after trying to buy low fat treats(30.00 to be exact this month) and because she’s missing teeth and cannot eat low fat hard treats she had in the first batch about 6 about the size of a nickel and was a happy camper. This is more nutritional and cheaper! I cooked it for 4 hrs and it was little crispy yet soft in the middle and she hates boiled sweet potatoes. She ate it all! Glad to have her eat this nutritional treat!thank you!
Jamie says
Has anyone tried putting the sweet potatoes slices in a dehydrator?
NANCY ERB says
I dud both oven and dehydrator but the oven was the best. However they were a rich orange on one side and the other side pale on the other even though I flipped them.
Lindsey says
Do these require to be in the fridge, or can you just put them in an air tight container on the counter?
Samantha Franke says
When I make mine I normally refrigerate them as they have gone moldy if there’s any moisture left in them
If you really bake them until they are fully dried and crisp, shouldn’t be an issue.
Happy baking!!
Mary L Harkleroad says
I am making some as we speak but I wrapped mine in chicken. Some pieces were a little thick so I flattened them a bit and wrapped them around the sweet potatoes. I use to purchase these from Chewy but after reading about so many pets dying from the glycerin in them(made in China), I decided to make my own treats as I also make my own Dog food.
Alex says
Maxey loves them and gives them a 10/10 rating. I accidentally bought yams because the signs were mixed up and didn't realize until I got home. I also added some nutritional yeast flakes on top since Maxey likes that and gives it a cheese-y flavor. He prefers crispy over chewy so we're cooking ours a bit longer, but highly recommend this recipe. Super easy too!!
Mike says
My dog and I just tried this (yes, I ate "at least one" just to test it) and they are indeed PRETTY TASTY!!!!!!! Another Commenter suggested using a microwave and it really worked great! Slice into 1/4" rounds, cover a plate with parchment paper, sprinkle very lightly with garlic powder (because all dogs love garlic/ pizza crust flavor, yes?), microwave 3 minutes, turn pieces over, nuke it again 3 minutes, nuke it for 30 second intervals until slightly wrinkled, let cool, scarf 'em up. Texture will be slightly chewy. If you microwave longer they will be more dry/crunchy (too long and they will burn, so don't do that.) But either way, chewy or crunchy, we love 'em and give 'em 2 paws up!
Candice says
I heard garlic, onion, nutmeg, leeks, chocolate, raisins, grapes, and chocolate are toxic to dogs.
Mike says
If you are worried about this, definitely only do what is best for you and your dog, do your research with reliable sources and never, ever be persuaded by some anonymous person's comment online. When you say "I've heard" it tells me that you are not doing your own research and you are likely to be wrong as many times as you are right. So, you might as well flip a coin on every issue. In this case, what you "heard" is correct, solid garlic is not good for dogs and may be fatal in large amounts. As for me and my dog, a light sprinkle of garlic powder on a slice of sweet potato is tasty, healthy treat and since I've done my own research, I know that is okay. Good luck.
Gnomey says
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, garlic and other members of the allium family, including onions, contain thiosulfate, which is toxic to dogs but not to humans. Thiosulfate causes oxidative damage to red blood cells, resulting in hemolytic anemia. This information can easily be found using many reliable sources.
Rachel says
Thank you for helping set this record straight
Debbie says
My son, who is a veterinarian says that garlic is not good for dogs. It can cause anemia, vomiting and rapid heart plus weakness. I always avoid it since he said this. At least don’t feed too much garlic at a time.
Liz says
Yes most definitely toxic
Christie says
All of the items you listed are Bad or poisonous to dogs and I am in to do the sweet potatoes but I am certainly skipping the garlic salt. They also can’t have apple seeds they can have apples my dog loves apples but you got a cut the seeds out because there’s arsenic and I’m so you have to core them basically but pares give him a whole pair my dog picks some off the tree I know this is spelled wrong…. Stupid smart phones. Anyway I also recently tried a recipe super easy Greek yogurt and peanut butter you put the peanut butter into the ice tray in the bottom and then you fill the rest with peanut butter both or are organic and my dog loves them and you just keep them in the freezer doll them out how do you like your pup might enjoy those.
AC says
Garlic is extremely toxic to dogs. Please do not do this. Mike might think it's okay to give this to his dogs, but he is wrong.
sadie says
PLEASE do not give your dog any type of allium: garlic and onions are TOXIC to doggos. 🙁
Rachel says
You aren't supposed to feed dogs garlic, it's toxic to them.
Gil Knutson says
Question rather than comment: can you do the sweet potato in a dehydrator instead of the oven?
Amy says
Yep! Just made these in my Instant Pot with the dehydrator lid. My dog is obsessed.
Nick says
2.5 to 3 hours in the oven? Ever heard of the microwave?
Stacey says
the slow cooking time is necessary to get a chewy texture
Nance Limesky says
A microwave will not get the same results.
Pogi says
@Nick
Are you serious? You have to be trolling. Not cool.
Pogi says
Nick, try this recipe with a microwave yourself and tell me how it goes. Lol.
Mike says
thanks for the suggestion - worked GREAT!
Lorett Bodkin says
Some of us refuse to use microwaves.
Mary says
Microwave ovens destroy all the valuable nutrients. Wouldn’t even have one in my home.
Castledark says
MARY you are spreading false information!
Dr Greger from the esteemed NOT FOR PROFIT website nutritionfacts.org says microwaves are safe to use.
nutritionfacts.org is the best place to go for accurate up to date information. you know you are getting the truth when u search for answers to your questions on Dr Gregers website because references are always cited including the actual specific scientific studies.
"Microwaves are a safe, effective, and highly convenient cooking method. There is no evidence that they cause harm — and some evidence that they are even better than other cooking methods at preserving nutrients and preventing the formation of harmful compounds."
TRY SCIENCE MARY.
Anne says
Have never owned one
Aman says
How many of these can you feed to a young golden retriever female - 2 yrs old and about 30 kgs body weight
Kristall says
Love how easy it is to make these chews. I've been making them at least twice a month for my two doggos. I do have a question though. When I take them out of the oven they are crispy/chewy but then I put them in the fridge and they all soften and shrink. I can't figure out how to store them to keep them on the crispier side. I put them in a large Ziploc bag. How do you store yours and what kind of container do you use?
Grace says
I freeze the large bag, they don't take long to thaw, like 10mins max on the counter
Anna says
Thank you for posting this! Sweet potato chews are some of her favorites and I'm always buying them. My dog Ella loves her veggies and is particularly fond of broccoli and turnip. When I bring home broccoli, she thinks its all for her and stands at the fridge wagging her tail. Anyone else have a dog who loves broccoli?
Kati says
Yes! My dog adores broccoli! And almost any other vegetable!
Betsey Phillips says
No, but I have a cat who loves asparagus.
Cris says
My Pekingese LOVES fruits and Vegetables, peeled cucumber is her summer favorite, but she really loves grilled asparagus lol.
Valerie says
These actually make a great sweet potato chip for humans! Made them for my dogs but then decided to try one myself and loved it!
Megan Pedersen says
Same lol! My dogs love them!
Nicky says
Hello!
I’m sure my dog would love these!
Before I make them I have one question....
Do the sweet potatoes make anyone’s dog’s fur orange? Like around their mouths? I remember seeing reviews of the store bought chews making an orange mess on the dog and on the floor or couch where the dog eats it. I’d definitely like to avoid that!
Sandra Garcia says
My dogs LOVE sweet potato treats! I've got some in the oven right now and they are patiently waiting in the kitchen for them to be ready. In response to the question about the dog's fur turning orange, I haven't noticed that at all. If it does though, I previously had a white pup and I always bought a "whitening" shampoo at the local pet store. It took care of any stains on his face from tears or stains on his feet from licking.
Andrea says
I realize I am late to this stream. My pure white, furry, Samoyed loves Sweet potato chews. I buy them at a "better" pet store and pay a lot. it is only one ingredient. Sweet Potato. It is made in the USA. They are chewy like dried apricots. He prefers the chewy over the crunchy. They also help his digestive system. He never has any orange color on himself or his blanket. But I need to learn how to make these. Like you said earlier... the sweet potatoes themselves are not expensive.
Wendy says
My dogs go crazy for sweet potatoes. I just bake them whole, slice them once cooled and they usually have them all gobbled up before I can air dry them in front of my wood stove! Or I skip the air drying and keep them in the fridge, they like 'em cold, too, lol. Skin on! No need to waste it. But I also use organic sweet potatoes.
They also love zucchini chips, banana chips and beet chips (raw, sliced and air dried).
Gail says
Made these and they turned out great. However some were hard.
Why do they have to be refrigerated? the ones in the bag do not.
Taija says
For dogs? Unfortunately the dogs didn't have a chance. They turned out so yummy that the owners sat nicely and ate them all. Next time I do for dogs I swear..
Denise says
Thank you so much for this "newer" recipe!! I use to cook these for 5 hours and could never adjust it to cooking faster. I'm making over 8lbs of fresh for a PC Pound Puppies fundraiser.
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing!
Margaret Koeller says
Was just wondering if I'm wrong or not but those look like Yams your using and not sweet potatoes. So if I use sweet potatoes not yams will they still come out the same ? TIA
Tony says
I’m not sure where you live, but here in North America, what most grocery stores/restaurants call, “yams,” are actually orange sweet potatoes; they do this to make it easy to differentiate between yellow and orange sweet potatoes (there’s even purple sweet potatoes!). Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family (cousins of potatoes), whereas real yams are completely unrelated. Yams are generally larger, starchier, and a lot drier than sweet potatoes.
As for the recipe, I made these for my dogs, and they just adore them! Will definitely make again.
Curious food obsessed hooman says
Can hoomans eat too? Anyone tried?
Sam Turnbull says
It's just dried sweet potatoes, so yes, humans can eat it. I'm afraid it would be very bland and dry tho.
Same hooman says
Right lol
Sherry says
I sometimes put cinnamon on them. They taste great!
Megan Pedersen says
Yes ! I had to try them! They are actually pretty good
Juliette Exupery says
I haven't made these yet, Sam, but I intend to. I just wanted to alert you that dog nutritionists, in general, warn about giving unpeeled sweet potato to dogs. It is said the skin can harm their digestive system and make them sick. Thought you might like to know what's out there. Thank you for a delightful site. I will definitely make these for my sweet puppykids.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Juliette, as far as I have read the vines of sweet potatoes are unsafe to consume, but both the sweet potato skin and flesh are safe to consume. You can read more here. Hope that helps!
Barbara Henry says
Our pups LOVE these! What a simple to make, healthy, SO MUCH cheaper treat to give them!
I will be following and sharing your articles/recipes from now on.
Thank you so much!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy your pup loved them, Barbara!